The Toronto Maple Leafs celebrate their 100th season this year. In honour of this feat we would like to provide some of the highlights during their 100 years! As always we love to hear your say! Here we go!
December 19, 1917
The Toronto Maple Leafs played their first game as part of the newly formed National Hockey League (NHL) against the Montreal Wanderers. This game was a loss, but it was the beginning of a tradition of hockey in Toronto (Leaf’s Nation).
1927
Foster Hewitt made his debut as the radio voice behind the Leafs.
November 12, 1931
The Leafs move to their new home, Maple Leaf Gardens, and open it by playing against the Chicago Blackhawks.
First Stanley Cup
The Leafs first Stanley Cup was won in 1932. They won against the New York Rangers in three games (best of five series). This topped off the opening season of new home.
1951
Timmins, Ontario native Bill Barilko scored his legendary winning goal in overtime. Against orders from his coach, he left his defense position to pick up a pass and score to give the Leafs theirs fourth Stanley Cup in five years.
1962 – 1963 Season
This was the Leafs finest as they finished in first place for the first time since 1947 – 1948 season. They won on to win the Stanley Cup, their second in the 60’s.
1967 – 1968 Stanley Cup Victory
This was the 11th Stanley Cup for the Leafs. It was the last cup of the NHL’s “original six” era as the league added six new expansion teams.
1993 Dreams Dashed
During game six of the playoffs against the Los Angeles Kings, Wayne Gretzky clipped Doug Gilmour in the face but no penalty was called. To make it worse, Gretzky scored the winning goal forcing a game seven in which the Leafs lost.
Wendel Clark Traded
Toronto favourite, Wendel Clark, was traded to the Quebec Nordiques in June 1995 which horrified the fans. Clark was part of a trade for Mats Sundin and others. Sundin’s value with the Leaf’s is history, but at the time, little was known about him by the fans, so it was thought to have been one of the worst trades involving the Leafs. But we know that was not the case!
Air Canada Centre
Moving from the Maple Leaf Gardens signaled a new era. February 13, 1999 is an historic moment as the Leafs played their final game at the Gardens. On February 20, 1999, the first game was played at the Air Canada Centre, their new home, and won.
There you have it! Just some of the memories in the Leafs 100 years! Add a piece to your Toronto Maple Leafs Collection! We have a large selection in our shop.
The post Great Moments in Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey appeared first on Slapshot Signatures.
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